Discharge device foe can assorting



Dec. 22, 1953 G. J. PALMER 2,653,420

DISCHARGE DEVICE FOR CAN AssoRTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 28, 1949 5 sheets-sheet 1 o bw Dec. 22, 1953 G. .1. PALMER 2,663,420

DISCHARGE DEVICE FOR CAN ASSORTING MACHINES Filed Feb. 28, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 SZMZMM AUM/vir.

Dec. 22, 1953 G. J, PALMER DISCHARGE DEVICE FOR CAN ASSORTING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheerl 5 Filed Feb. 28, 1949 my @M wm. WM @Mffw ,m 6%

Patented Dec. 22, 1953 UNITED STATES. TENT OFFICE DISCHARGE DEVICE FOR CAN ASSORTING MACHINES My invention relates to the field of canning machinery, and more particularly to a device adapted to automatically separate non-labeled and defectively labeled cylindrical cans or containers from a stream of perfectly labeled cans during the time the cans are in motion.

Although several defectively labeled and nonlabeled can detecting and rejecting devices have been devised and marketed in the past, including the devices disclosed in my patents, No. 2,560,737 and No. 2,590,343, the majority of these devices have the disadvantage that they employ a gate mechanism for rejecting purposes. Due to this structure the gate must open and close to permit each non-labeled or defectively labeled can to fall therethrough, with the result that the volume of the cans being discharged into the device from a labeler cannot exceed a certain maximum speed. Should the maximum volume be exceeded, the gate is unable to complete an opening and closing cycle between the time the rst defectively labeled or non-labeled can and a second such can passes thereover, with the result that the second can is not rejected.

The primary purpose of my present invention is to provide a can handling device that will eliminate the disadvantages of the presently available non-labeled and defectively labeled rejecting devices, and one that will operate satisfactorily irrespective of the volume of cans passing therethrough.

A major object of my invention is to provide a can handling device adapted to be positioned between a labeler and conveyor system, with the device when so positioned being capable of separating defectively labeled and non-labeled cans from a stream of cans rolling therethrough irrespective of the speed with which the cans are traveling vso long as it is relatively constant.

Another object of my invention is to furnish a can handling device that occupies a minimum of loor space, requires a minimum of maintenance attention, has a relatively simple mechanical structure, and can be adjusted to handle cyn lindrical cans and containers of varied size.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof, from the drawings illustrating that orm in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view ci my can handling device;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the can ejecting mechanism used in the device; l

, Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the solenoid 8 Claims. (Cl. 209-74) controlled mechanism used in releasing one of the spring loaded pins which engages a defectively labeled or non-labeled can;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the solenoid controlled pin releasing mechanism taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 of the pin retracting mechanism used in disengaging a pair of the pins from one of the non-labeled or defectively labeled cans;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of one of the disk supported pins in a nonengaging position taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 for the general arrangement of my invention, it will be seen that it includes a downwardly extending track T, over which cylindrical cans or containers C roll from a conventional labeler L to a conveyor system S. Immediately positioned above the track T are two laterally spaced, power-driven disks D, with each disk having a number of spring loaded pins P annularly disposed and situated'near the periphery thereof. Each two oppositely disposed pins P when actuated are adapted to move inwardly and grasp the ends of a non-labeled or defectively labeled can C and move the can upwardly as the disks D rotate.

After the non-labeled or defectively labeled cans C have been raised to a predetermined horizontal plane, the pins P are retracted and permit the can C held therebetween to be deposited on a set of downwardly inclined rails R over which the can rolls to a suitable area where it is held separately from the perfectly labeled cans. The non-labeled cans may be immediately removed from this area and returned through the labeler, with the defectively labeled cans being similarly handled after the defective labels have been re moved therefrom. The means used in detecting non-labeled and defectively labeled cans passing alongthe track T-may be any one of the means disclosed in my patents No. 2,560,737 and No. 2,590,343, or such other detecting means as desired.

VIn Figs. 1, 2 and 4 it will be seen that the track T includes two laterally spaced, longitudinally extending rails l0. Each rail I0 is formed from Iaistrip of rigid material ll of rectangular cross section along the upper surface of which the rims of the cans C rotate, with the rail having a flange I2 extending along the outer side thereof to serve as a guide for the cans C. It will be apparent that the rails forming the track T can be formed as an integral unit, or fabricated from a strip Il and liange l2 as previously described. Each of the track rails ill is supported in the desired position by being affixed to the upper portion of a number of vertically positioned members I3, with each of the members having a recessed portion formed on the lower portion thereof. The recessed portion of each of the members I3 engages the upper and inner portions of a. longitudinally extending side piece Id of rectangular cross-section, which side piece extends substantially the distance between the labeler L and the conveyor system S.

Each side piece I4 is supported near the ends thereof on a horizontally positioned memberv i having an I-shaped cross-section. The-.member I5 includes a horizontal web I6, a vertical' flange Il at one end thereof, another vertical flange f8' at the other end thereof, and a ri'b I9 formed on the upper surface of the web I5 and extendingY inwardly a substantial distance from the inner face of the flangel I8. Eachof the side pieces i4' is held in position on the members I5 b'ybo'lts 2D which extend through the flanges IT and I8 to engage the side pieces. One ofthe side pieces I4 is adapted to have the downwardly positioned surface thereof rest on the upper edges of the ribs It. When shims are placed between the inner flange i8 and the outer face of side piece I the side piece may -be transversely adjusted to vary the width between the track rails It to adjust for can size. By such an arrangement my can handling device may be utilized in removing non-labeled and mis-labeled cans from' a stream of cylindrical containers ranging in size from the nat cans such as employed for packing fish up to the relatively large cans in which` fruit juices are marketed. y

To maintain the members I5 in the desired' vertical position each member is provided with a leg 22v on each side thereof, with the legs being' bolted or otherwise affixed to the lower' portion of the anges Il and I8. Although any rigid material may be used I have found it' desirable to fabricate the legs 22 from strap steel which is bent into the desired shape. Reinforcement of the legs is providedY by a horizontallyv positioned rigid pine 23 extending between each two adjoining legs 22 securely positioned therebetween by a bolt 23a which serves to reinforce the legs and hold them in a rigid'position by having the bolt 23a which passes through the lower portion of' legs 22V engage the upper portion of a cast iron shoe 24 provided on each leg. Each shoe 2d. is provided with a rectangular base 25 which has a vertically extending slot 25a formed in the outer portion thereof whereby the shoe may be held in the desired position on a floor when the slot is engaged 'by a bolt imbedded therein. To further reinforce the legs 22 two rigid members 2T are provided which extend longitudinally Ibetween the legs in a conventional manner.

In Fig. l it will be seen that with the track T supported on the above described framework, it can be disposed between the labeler L and convevor S in such a manner that the cans C will be discharged from the labeler onto the track and proceed in rolling motion to the conveyor. The defectively labeled or non-labeled cans C Vrolling along the track T are segregated from the perfectly labeled cans by being lifted' upwardly therefrom and deposited on the rails R by the disks D as hereinafter described.

The disks D are positioned abovev the track T, yand laterally spaced from one another, each disk including an annular plate 29 which hasa hub 30 formed on the exterior face thereof. A horizontally positioned shaft 3| passes through each hub 30, with each hub being rigidly aixed to the shaft in the desired location by a set screw (not shown) of conventional design. The ends of the shaft 3l are rotatably supported in pillow blocks 32, which have two longitudinally spaced vertical bores formed therein through which the threaded portions of two vertically positioned rods 33 pass upwardly therethrough. A pair of nuts 33a is provided for and engages the threaded portion of each of the rods 33 to hold the blocks. 321' inI position thereon.

Each rod 33 engages the bores formed in two vertically aligned ears 35, with each set of ears being formed on and extending outwardly from one end' of a' rectangular member 3S of channel shaped cross-section that is slidably mounted on one ofthe side pieces I4. The ears 35 each have a set screw 3l threaded into a tapped bore formed therein whereby the rods SS'can be adjusted to the desired vertical height. Each of the members 3E- is also. provided with a set screw (not shown) whereby the members may be slida'bly adjusted along the side pieces Ul, and heldin the desired position by adjusting the set screws.

'Situated' on a bracket 38 of conventional design extending between the rods 33 is an electric motor 39 adapted to drive a gear reducing unit 40, also mounted on the bracket by means of a fbelt' 4I. The gear reducer di? is provided on one side with a sprocket which engages an endless chain belt 153v that on its upper end engages a sprocket i4 rigidly mounted on one end of the shaft 3l. Thus, when the motor 3S is Placed in operation, the sprocket d is rotated, and the shaft supported disks D rotated at a speed approximating the velocity of the cam Cr rolling Ialong the track'l as will` hereinafter be explained In Figs. 1 and 2 it will be noted that each of the disks D is provided near the periphery thereof with aA series of tapped bores that are engaged by bolts having'V tubular spacers le situated thereon. An annular ring il having a series of bores formed therein is supported from each disk D between the outer ends of the spacers de and the inner faces of the heads provided on the bolts 55. Each of the pins P is slidably mounted in one of the bores @e formed in the plate 23, and aA similarly positioned bore 553 formed in the ring fil. The pins P each include a shank portion 5I on which an vannular collar 52 is integrally formed, and an annular flange e3 is formed on the outer portion of each collar 52. A helical spring 5d. encircling the outer portion of each shank 5| is provided, with each spring being disposed between the inner face of the ring il and the outer face of one of the flanges whereby the inner ends of the pins P at all times are forced inwardly into a can engaging position.

A number of tapped bores are formed the plate 2a which are inwardly toward hub ed and situated directly belowv a pin-supporting bore its. A bolt. 56 threadediy engages each of the bores 55, with the bolt having a conventional washer 5l positioned. adjacent to the headvportion thereof anda tubular member 58 supported thereonY situated adjacent to the plate 2S. Each of the tubular members 5S (Figs. a and 5) has an annular ange 59 formed on vthe outer end thereof for reasons which will hereinafter be explained. The bolts 56 each have a k'ey'f: p-ivotally mounted thereon, each of which is adapted to retract one of the. pins P from a can-engaging position after 5 the can C has been raised to the desired horizontal plane.

In Fig. 6 it will be seen that each of the pins P is normally held in a non-can-engaging posi tion by a substantially rectangular pin actuating member i. The member ti has an annular bore E2 formed in the outer portion thereof that is of greater diameter than the collar 52 and permits it to move transversely therethrough. The inner portion of the member 5l has a longitudinally extending slot 553 formed therein which slidably engages the member 58 and permits limited inner and outer movement of the actuating member 5i. A clip spring la situated in such a manner as to engage the inner ends of one of the members ti, tends at all times to force member si upwardly. The spring tia is preferably supported from a screw te and disposed below and between two of the bolts 56, with the screw engaging a tapped bore formed in the plate 5f "3.

In 6 it will be seen that the inner end of each pin P is prevented from moving inwardly to a can-engaging position as the outer face oi the collar .'32 engages a portion of the inner face of the member di When the pin actuating member fi! moves radially inwardly upon detection of a defectively labeled or non-labeled can, the bore S2 is brought in alignment with the collar 52 which slides inwardly into the bore to pern :nit the inner ends of the pin l? to engage a defectively labeled or non-labeled can C. The inward movement of the pin P is limited when vertical face of the collar t2 contacts the outer face of one of the plates 2:3. When the defectively labeled or non-labeled can C is engaged by two oppositely disposed pins P, it is rotated disks D to the desired horizontal elevation where it is deposited onto rails E (as will hereinafter be explained), with the engaging pins P at this point brought into a retracted and non-can-engaging position as seen in Figure 5.

To retract the pins P after the defectively labeled and non-labeled cans have been raised to the desired horizontal plane, each of the disks D has a substantially horizontally positioned roller 55 positioned adjacent to the outer face thereof. Each of the rollers te is rotatably mounted on a bolt that is afxed to one of the pillow blocks 32, with each of the blocks thus serving as a support for the shaft 3l as well as the roller t5.

In Fig. 5 it will be seen that the pin retracting operation occurs as the inner portions of two oppositely disposed keys ESQ are engaged by the rollers d5, with the inner portions of the keys being pivoted inwardly towards the plates iid and the upper portions of the keys being pivoted outwardly to engage the iianges 53, thus moving the pins P to a Ironman-engaging position. As each collar 52 is moved outwardly from within the confines of the bore i2 the clip spring t l c slidably .moves the pin actuating member 5l outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 5. After the key has passed the roller S5 the helical spring 5ft tends to move the pin inwardly, but the pin P cannot assume a can engaging position as the vertical face of the collar 52 engages a portion of the outer face of the pin actuating member l The pin P will remain in a non-can-engaging position until the pin actuating member di is moved inwardly to a position where the bore E2 is in alignment with the collar 52 whereupon the collar is slidably moved through the bore by compression on the helical spring Se to place the pin in a cam engaging position.

When a defectively labeled or non-labeled can C reaches a position on the track 'I' substantially under the shaft 3i, the presence of the defectively labeled or non-labeled can is signaled by one of the detecting devices disclosed in my patents, No. 2,560,737 and No. 2,590,343. Upon the signal being received an electrically operated solenoid device E is brought into action to contact .two oppositely situated pin actuating members 6I, with the result that they are moved inwardly to cause two of the bores e2 and collars 52 to be brought into alignment, permitting two of the pins P to be forced inwardly and engage a nonlabeled or defectively labeled can which is carried upwardly from the stream of perfectly labeled cans and deposited on the rails R.

A vertically positioned rectangular plate 68 having four longitudinally extending slots 69 formed therein is provided for each side of my device. The slots 69 are engaged by bolts or machine screws lli that engage tapped openings formed in the vertically positioned edges of the members 36, with the result that the plates (i8 can be vertically adjusted. Thus, by adjusting the bolts l0, the plates G3 `can be positioned at the desired vertical elevation for reasons which will hereinafter be explained. Each of the plates 58 serves as a support for an electric solenoid 'H which is mounted thereon `by a conventional bracket l2.

Each solenoid H has a plunger slidably mounted therein which has two vertically spaced lugs 'i3 aired thereto, with the lugs supporting a vertically positioned screw i4 therebetween. A horizontally positioned screw 'F5 is adjustably mounted in a member i6 of conventional design that is supported from the plate $3, for controlling the horizontal throw of the solenoid controlled plunger. A shaft 'il is rotatably mounted in a bore formed in the upper portion of each of the plates 68, with the outer end of each shaft supporting a crank is which extends downwardly to engage the screw le. The opposite end of the shaft 'i1 supports a lever le, with the outer end of the lever moving upwardly as the crank 'it is rotated in a counterclockwise direction due to electrical energization o the solenoid il. When the outer ends of levers 'i9 move upwardly and engage the pin actuating members Si, the members 6I also move upwardly sufficiently to bring the bores 62 in alignment with the collars 52. This movement of the pin actuating members 6I permits the springs 511 to force two of the pins P inwardly into a can engaging position.

It will be apparent that should the levers 'E9 remain in the upward position the pin actuating members 6l would be moved upwardly as the disks D rotate, with the result that the pins P controlled by them would all be placed in a. can engaging position. As it is only desired to remove the defectively labeled or nondabeled cans from the stream of perfectly labeled cans passing between the disks D the solenoids 'H are only momentarily energized which permits the solenoid controlled plungers to return to their normal position in which the levers i9 do not engage the pin actuating members 6i as can best be seen in Fig. 3. To break the electric circuit to the solenoid 'H after it has moved the lever la to a pin actuating location, an L-shaped member gli is aixedrto the lower portion of the screw '24. A horizontally adjustable screw t! is supported on the lower end of member Bti, one end of which is at all times in contact with a spring loaded member 82 which is used in actuating a snap switch 83. Upon the solenoids Il being 'electrically energized through two conductors 83a, the plungers (not shown) are pulled inwardly, the levers l placed in position to move one set of pin actuating members 6| upwardly, and the adjustment screws 8| moved rearwardly to break the circuit to the Solenoids by engaging and moving the member 82 rearwardly. After the circuit to the sole-noids H has been broken, the spring loaded member S2 moves the L-shaped members dil and the solenoid plungers forwardly to again place the levers 'i9 in a position whereby they will not Contact the pin actuating members Si until a non-labeled or defectively labeled can is detected and the solenoid again electrically energized to place two of the pins P in a can engaging position. v

Upon detection of a deiectively labeled or nonlabeledycan and the solenoids 7| being electricallyY energized to place the pins P in a can engaging position, the can is grasped between the two pins and raised upwardly between the disks D until the pins are placed in a retracted position by the keys Se engaging the rollers 65. When the defectively labeled or non-labeled can is released by the pins P it is positioned over the rails R which slope downwardly away from my device, and over` which the defectively labeled or nonlabeled cans roll to an area where they are stored or again run through the labeler.

The shaft 3l has two annular space-rs Se mounted thereon, with each of the spacers being adjacent to the interior face of one of the plates 29. Two bearings 85 are rotatably mounted on the shaft 35, each of which is situated adjacent to the interior face of one of the spacers 84. Each bearing 85 has a rail 86 extending rearwardly therefrom, on which the defectively labeled or non-labeled cans roll along. The rails 36 are held at the desired distance from one another by two connecting members 87 which are pivotally joined at their junction point by a machine screw 83. Thus, by loosening and tightening the screws 53 the width between the rails 85 can be regulated to accommodate various sized cans. A set of guides S9 of a conventional design extend longitudinally along the rails S6, and serve to prevent defectively labeled or non-labeled cans from falling or being deflected from the rails 86.

Although by experience I have found that the above described device operates very satisfactorily in removing non-labeled and defectively labeled cans from a stream of perfectly labeled cans rolling along the track T, it will be apparent that other rotating means may be used in raising the defectively labeled or non-labeled cans to the rails R.

It will be apparent that the disk mounted can engaging pins P may be placed in a can engaging position by a number of mechanisms other than the particular ones I have previously discussed in detail.

In the present application no claim is made to the defectively labeled and non-labeled can detecting means independently, which means are fully disclosed in my patents, No. 2,560,737 arid No. 2,599,343. To furnish an actuating vacuum for my non-labeled and defectively labeled detecting device a vacuum pump |39 driven from a cc; ventional motor iti is provided, or should it be desired the motor 39 can also be used for this purpose. A conduit |32 extends to the detecting device, while another conduit |34 is connected to the discharge of the pump |30 and extended upwardly to the track T to use the discharged air in Vblowing loose labelsias disclosed in my above mentioned Patent No. 2,560,737.

An electronic circuit adapted for use with my non-labeled and defectively labeled can detecting device is shown in Fig. 8 of my Patent No. 2,560,737. In my present invention the electrical switch 83 and the switches used to break the circuit to the solenoids (shown in the alternate forms of my device) after one of the cans C has been engaged correspond generally to the switch ||5 in my Patent No. 2,560,737. In the prior device the switch l l5 was momentarily placed in the open position to cause de-energization of the solenoids by a can passed thereover, while in my present invention the same result is achieved by the` movement of the solenoid operated plunger.

The operation of my invention is extremely simple. A stream of cans C is discharged from the labeler L to the track T, with the perfectly labeled cans rolling undisturbed between the disks D to the conveyor system S. However, a defectively labeled or non-labeled can is detected by a unit U, which letter represents any one of the detecting devices disclosed in my two previously mentioned patents or such other detecting unit. as may be found desirable.

When the unit U signals the presence of a defectively labeled or non-labeled can, an electronic circuit is actuated causing two oppositely disposed pins P to be placed in a can engaging position. The defectively labeled or non-labeled can C is then carried upwardly and deposited on the rails R where it rolls to an area in which it is segregated from the perfectly labeled cans. In operating the disk form of my device it is desirable that the peripheral speed of the disks D be substantially the same as the lineal velocity of the cans C passing therebetween.

The adjustment of the disks D on the track T is made possible by longitudinally moving the blocks 36, with the elevation of the disks being regulated by raising or lowering the rods 33.

While the particular devices herein shown and described in detail are fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages herenbefore stated, it is to be understood that they are merely illustrative of the presently preferred forms of my invention, and that I do not mean to limit myself to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as deiined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A rejecting device which includes: two laterally spaced rotatably mounted disks between which a plurality of cans may move without interruption; means for rotating said disks; a plurality of spring loaded pins slidably supported in a transverse position on each of said disks; means to hold said pins in a non can engaging position; means to actuate two of said pins which are oppositely disposed to a can engaging position; and means to vretract said two can engaging pins to a non-can engaging position after said rejected can has been raised above the horizontal plane in which it was engaged.

2. A can rejecting device which includes: two laterally spaced driven disks between which a plurality of cans may roll without interruption; a plurality of spring loaded pins slidably mounted in a transverse position on each of said disks; a plurality of radially positioned pin actuating members, with each of said members being operatively associated with one of said pins, and said members holding said pins in a non-can engaging position; means for actuating two of said members to place two oppositely disposed pins in a can engaging position; applurality of keys, with each of said keys being operatively associated with one of said pins, and each of said keys upon movement being applied thereto re tracting one of said pins into a non-can engaging position; and means .to apply pressure to two of said keys after a rejected can has been raisedv to a predetermined height to cause said two engaging pins to be disengaged from said can.

3. A can rejecting device which includes: two laterally spaced driven disks; two annular rings, with each of said rings rigidly supported from the exterior face of one or' said disks; a plurality oi' transversely positioned pins, with each of said pins having a 'collar formed thereon, and said pins being slidably mounted in bores formed in said disks and rings; a plurality of helical springs, with each of said springs encircling one ofsaid pins, and being situated between the inner face of one of said rings and the outer face of one of said collars; a plurality of radially movable pin actuating members, with each of said members being movably mounted on one of said disks and having a bore formed therein that engages one of said pins and prevents said pin from assuming a can engaging position until said member is moved inwardly to permit said collar to pass through said bore; a plurality of flanges, with each of said flanges being formed on the outer end of one of said collars; a plurality of keys movably mounted on each of said disks, with the outer end of each of said keys engaging one of said anges; two levers, with each of said levers being adapted to be moved upwardly to contact and move inwardly one of said pin actuating members upon the presence of a rejected can being detected and to place said pin controlled thereby in a can engaging position; and roller means to contact said keys to retract said pins from a can engaging position after said rejected can has been raised by said pins to a predetermined height.

4. A rotatable member for a can rejecting device which includes: a rotatable disk; an annular ring rigidly mounted on said disk; a plurality of pins, with each of said pins being transversely positioned between said disk and ring and movably supported thereon; a plurality of flanged collars, with each of said collars formed on one of said pins, and situated between the outer face of said disk and the inner face of said collar; a plurality of springs, with each of said springs being situated between the inner face of said ring and the outer end of one of said collars; a plurality of pin actuating members, with each of said members having a bore formed therein through which one of said pins extends, and each of said members being radially movable on said disk; a plurality of keys pivotally supported from said disk, with the outer end of each of said keys engaging one of said flanged collars; and spring means urging said pin actuating members into a position where said pin that is controlled thereby is held in a non-can engaging position which occurs as the inner end of each of said keys is moved inwardly.

5. A pin actuating mechanism for use on a disk employed in a can rejecting device which includes: an annular plate, having a plurality of spaced bores formed therein adjacent to the periphery thereof; a ring rigidly supported from said plate, with said ring having bores formed therein that are in alignment with said bores formed in said plate; a plurality of pins, with each of said pins slidably mounted in said bores formed in said plate and ring; a plurality of collars, with each of said collars disposed on one of said pins; a plurality of radially positioned pin actuating members, with each of said mem` bers beingmovably supported from said` plate and operatively associated with one of said collars to hold said pin controlled thereby normally in a non-can engaging position, but said member when moved radially permitting said pin to assume a can engaging position; end means to retract each of said actuated pins to a non-can engaging position. Y

A6. A device to reject defective cans which includes: two laterally spaced annular members between which a plurality of cans may pass without interruption; means to continuously rotate said annular members in synchronism; a plurality of circumferentially spaced movable members oppositely mounted on saidV annular members; spring means urging said movable members inwardly to grasp one of said cans therebetween; movable means that normally prevents actuation of said movable members; electrically operated actuating means which upon receipt of an electrical signal indicating the presence of a defective can moves said movable means to cause a portion of said movable members inwardly by said spring means to engage said defective can therebetween; means that move said can engaging members to a non-engaging position to release said defective can when said annular members reach a predetermined position; and means to maintain said movable members in a nonengaging position after said movable members release said defective can.

7. A device to reject defective cans which includes: two laterally spaced disks mounted on a driven shaft; two annular rings; means to rigidly support said rings on oppositely disposed faces of said disks in spaced relationship therewith, with each of said disks and rings having a plurality of circumferentially spaced aligned bores formed therein, and said rings sufficiently spaced from one another to permit a plurality of cans to pass therebetween; a plurality of oppositely disposed pins, the inner portion of said pins slidably supported in bores formed in said rings, and the outer portion of said pins in the oppositely disposed bores formed in said disk from which said ring is supported; a plurality of collars formed on said pins, with each of said collars disposed on one of said pins between said ring and disk; a plurality of helical springs under compression each encircling one of said pins, and disposed between the outer face of one of said collars and the inner face of one oi' said disks; movable means operatively associated with said collars that normally maintain said pins in a position where the opposing end portions thereof do not project inwardly beyond the opposing faces of said rings; electrically operated actuating means which upon receipt of an electrical signal indicating the presence of a defective can actuates said movable means to permit a portion of said pins to move inwardly by said spring means to engage said defective can; means that move said pins to a non-engaging position to release said defective can when said engaging pins have been rotated a predetermined distance; and means to maintain said pins in a non-engaging position after release of said defective can.

8. A device to reject defective cans which in#- cludes: two laterally spaced disks mounted on a driven shaft; two annular rings; means to rigidly ii support said rings on oppositely disposed face of saidv disks in spaced relationship therewith, with each of said disks and rings having a pluralityof circumferentially spaced aligned bores formed therein, and said rings suiciently spaced from one another to permit a plurality of cans to pass therebetween; a plurality ofr oppositely disposed pins, the inner portion of said pins slidably supported in bores formed in saidl rings, andv the outer portion of said pins in the oppositely disposed bores formed in said disk from which saidV ring is supported; spring means that at all times urge said pins inwardly into'a can engaging position; movable means' operatively associated with said pins that normally prevent actuation of said pins into a can engaging position; electrically operated actuating means which upon receipt of a signal indicating the presence of a defective can actuates said movable means tol permita portion of said pins to engage said defective can; means that move said pins to a non-engaging position tov release said defective can when said disks and rings rotate to a predetermined position; and means to maintain said pins -n a non-engaging position after said can is releasedtherefrom.

GEORGE J. PALNIER.

References Cited in the file of this patenty UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,510,616 Wild Oct. '7, 1924 V1,766,019 Garrett June 24, 1930 2,098,260 Smith NOV. 9, 193'?r 2,270,428 Flint Jan. 20', 1942 2,339,638 Henszey Jan. 28, 1944 2,364,187 Birdsell Dec'. 5, 1944 

